Improvement in coupling-valves



G. WESTINGHOUSE, J1.

Coupling-Valve.

3 Ill N. PE-ERS. FHoTc-UTHCGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UETTED STATES PATENT GEEicEa GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, JR., OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COUPLING-VALVES.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent N0. 214,336, dated April 15, 1879; application tiled February 28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WEsTING- HOUSE, Jr., of Pittsburg, county of Allegheny, State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Coupling-Valves, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, concise, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in whichlike letters indicating like parts- Figure l is a view of a pair of my improved couplings and valves, showing one half in section and the other half in edge view; and Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same.

In a separate application I have described a brake-pipe coupling having a valve opened and closed by a rotary motion.

The present improvement in its general features is believed to constitute a part ot' or come within the limits of the invention therein claimed; but it has also some features of construction which, not appearing in such other application, I desire to claim herein.

In the present improvement the rotary valve is combined with the lap-joint clutch-coupling described in reissued Letters Patent No. 8,291, granted to me June 18, 1878 5 but with such changes as will come within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic, this improvement may be incorporated into the structure of any butt l or lap joint 7 coupling wherein the packed coupling laces or ends abut against and rotate on each other for the purpose of making or completing or breaking the lock or clutch connection.

Two of the half-couplin gs referred to are represented at R R; and at It R', I have shown the ends of the hose by means of which the connection is made therefrom to the iixed brakepipes under the cars. Except as herein described, the coupling-shells, lateral port-openings, through passage-ways, and interlocking or clutch connections are substantially as described in said Reissue No. 8,291.

In each haltcouplin g, as shown in the drawings, each lateral port-opening is surrounded by a packing-rin g, A, of india-rubber or other suitable material, and these packin g-rin gs, projecting slightly beyond the face of the surroundin gpart of the shell, are pressed together when the haltcouplings are united by the curved hooks B on one half iitting into a groove, C, on the other halt', as shown, the two halves being first brought together in an angular position, as indicated by the dotted lines m, Fig. 2, and then turned upon each other round the axial line of the lateral ports until they are in a straight line, as shown.

On the back of each packing-ring A is a plate, D, made somewhat like a circular grating, or with any desired arrangement of ports d therein, and serving as a seat to the rotary disk-valve E; also having any desired arrangement ot' ports e therein, one or more, but such that when turned to one position one or more of its ports will communicate with those of D, but when turned to the reverse position it will cut oft' or close the ports of D. 0n the back ot' this valve is a stud, a, which enters the open part of a Ulshaped stud, a,de pending from the disk F or other suitable connection may be effected between the two, such that the rotation of F will rotate E. The disk F has a stem, F', passing air-tight through the cap of the coupling-shell, outside of which latter an arm, G, forked at its outer end, is affixed to the stern. The fork g of this arm engages with a post, H, on the other half-coupling, so that when the two halves (havingbeen previously coupled) are turned upon each other into the before-mentioned angular position or relation for uncoupling, the post H turns the arm Gr, and with it the valve E, so that the latter closes the port-openings through D before the half-couplings separate. In like Inanner, when the two half-couplings are again brought into the angular position for coupling, the forked arln G is again made to engage with the post H, so that on turning the two halves into the straight position the valve E is again turned back into the open position, or so as to uncover the port or ports in D. It' While iu this position the half-couplings are pulled forcibly apart by the accidental separation of the cars or otherwise, the valves remain open, and by the escape of duid-pressure from the pipes through the open parts oi' the valves the brakes are brought into action. This occurs in what is commonly known as the YVestinghouse Automatic Brake, and this coupling is especially designed and adapted for use with brake apparatus of that class, or having substantially the same system of operation.

The arms G are provided with wings G', so formed as to prevent the two haltcouplings from being` coupled together in any otherposition than that in which each post ll engages with the corresponding,r fork g, and they are also provided with stops G2, for preventing,r the half-couplings being,- turned beyond a certain angular position. Any suitable. spring, I, may be employed to hohl the valve E to its seat on the ported plate l).

The posts I1 may be dispensed with by spreading apart and turning' down the prongs of the forli y, so that they shall engage the opposite sides of the opposite halfAcoupling; or other suitable means may be employed to effect or secure such a connection between each arm G and the opposite half-coupling that in the act of couplingand uncoupling the movable parts of the valves shall thereby receive the same, motion as the half-couplings themselves. Noris the form of the valve material, provided only that its movable part shall have a rotary motion in opening,r and closing the ports through which fluid-pressure is transmitted from one brake-pipe to the next; and such rotary valve, instead of being arranged immediately over or under thc lateral port-openings of the coupling-shells, may consist 0f an ordinary two-way cock, and be arranged in the nozzles of the half-couplings, as indicated at z, Fig. 2.. In such case the handle of the plug would constitute the movable arm. and the forked arm G,1 `ig. 2..ot` theother half-coupling, being then rigid, would be the mechanical equivalent of the post H in the construction rst described, and constitute a means for shifting the handle of the plug and opening and closing its ports while coupling and uncoupling.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. In pipe-couplings the abutting faces of which are rotated on each otherin makingand breaking.,Y a lock or union,arotary ported valve in each halfcoupling, with a connection from each such valve to some fixed part ot' the op posite half-coupling, substantially as set forth, whereby such valves shall receive the same rotary motions 1n either direction as that given to the half-couplings.

2. In combination with a half-coupling, R, a rotary valve, I) E, stem F', arm G, and suitable devices for effecting a connection between the arm and the opposite half-coupling, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, substantially as described, of rotary couplings, rotary valves, and fastenings automatically detachable under unusual strain, as Well as by a partial re verse or back rotation, whereby in case of or dinary uncoupling by hand the valve-ports will be closed, but in case of forcible separation of the couplings they will be left open, for the purposes set forth.

4. The wings G1, in combination with forked arms G, substantially' as described.

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, JR.

Witnesses:

CuAs. BERKLEY HARRIS,

17 Gracechurch Street, London, E. C. JN0. DEAN,

17 Graccchurch Street, London, E. C. 

